Bliss

Its the little things in life that absolutely make my day.  This morning, the little girls jimmied the gate to their pen and released themselves before their regularly scheduled time.  Normally, when left unattended they cover vast amounts of territory in short periods of time.  For some reason, though, this morning they decided to give us a fighting chance and waited around on the porch until Wes came out of the house.  Wonderful little girls. 

I decided to reward them with an extra long walk/run this morning.  (I could just say "run", but really?  Everyone would know its a lie and I can't even really type that with a straight face.)  On the way back from our four mile jaunt we walked past the lake that is situated across the road from our place. 

I try not to brag often, but dang.... look at that.  How can your day start out anything but wonderful when you get to look at that?  Happy Tuesday everyone!

Ego Alert

There are those in life that do their job willingly with quiet reverence.  Their greatest satisfaction is knowing that they have done a job well done and try their best to stay out of the limelight. 

That is not Laurie. 

Every moment is a photo opportunity, featuring her.  Trouble is, her personal papparrazi/camera man (myself) is usually laughing so hard I'm afraid I may pee my pants.  I'm working hard, trying to perfect my stalk as I sneak upon her to take a photo.  Usually, though, she hears my giggles and turns her head over one shoulder and gives me the stink-eye. 

Notice the protruding chest.  This is the most deflated you will ever see her chest get. 

Working cattle with her is the worst.  We try to alternate taking each girl every other day.  (We had both girls at the same time ONCE and I believe the threat of death or divorce was mentioned multiple times.) 

Loopie loves to work and then go lay in the shade, content to chew on a horn as her only reward.  Perhaps it is because Laurie is a few months younger, perhaps because she is the baby of the family.... sigh..... I don't know where to even begin.  I am very afraid, though, that she is going to tip over backwards someday soon because she struts so proudly while trotting behind the cattle as she pushes them up into the pens. 

In short: she's a big deal - just ask her. 

Neighborhood Watch

There is a neighborhood watch that recently started in our little community, following a string of "five-fingered discounts" that have taken place in our area. 

After reading my earlier posts, one may deduce that I have an affinity towards firearms and their inherent practicality.  For instance, they can help provide meals, entertainment, and most importantly.... defense. 

My mother-in-law came over to the house one day to explain the finer points of enacting an effective neighborhood watch, including: taking tag numbers, vehicle makes and models, and most importantly DO NOT SHOOT SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE. 

My older sister Karaline came to visit a few days later and saw the packet of information addressed to the "Residents of the Southwest Quadrant" of our township.  She asked for further explanation so I proceeded to provide her with the finer points of being a suspicious old woman (which I have now become).  Apparantly, at the end of my speech I said "....and..... (sigh)..... Janelle says I'm not allowed to shoot anyone, even if they've got my stuff." 

I don't remember it quite like that, but that's Karalina's recollection of events. 

AND, for the record, I still think that rule is a crock.

No rest for the wicked...

If anyone out there needs a good laugh, rest assured my stupid antics can provide ample relief.  Last weekend was our county fair here in the flint hills (I love this time of year!).  It was our third straight night of going to bed well after our 10pm shut-eye time and we were both exhausted.  I'm pretty sure we were both asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows. 

At 3am I awoke to hear the dogs barking up a storm like they haven't done in weeks.  I had hoped we were over the worst and the coyotes had lost interest in our general area.  Ha..... right..... Yelling at the girls from the window did nothing to quiet them and I finally decided to get my gun.  (Yes, insert any "Annie get your gun" joke here, I've heard them all.)  I grabbed the gun and bullets and headed for the door.  At that moment I realized I hadn't put on my bathrobe with the required pockets to place my extra rounds.  I had to tromp back through the house, put on the blasted bathrobe, and finally made it outside to shoot a few rounds into the dirt.  The shots echoed off the trees down by the creek a quarter mile away and a peaceful silence fell over everything.  Bliss. 

I came back into the house, took off my bathrobe and shoes, put up the gun, and crawled into bed.  Bliss.  Just as my head hit the pillow I heard my bucketcalf start to bawl.  Apparently my shots had awakened him and his impeccible timing knew to wait until I was back in bed to start his antics.  After five minutes of bawling I decided that he, in fact, was not going to stop on his own accord.  I got out of bed, redressed, fixed a bottle of milk, and walked into the shed to feed the hungry baby.  After finishing I washed the bottle and proceeded to head to bed... again.

Before I turned out the lights I glanced over at my husband sleeping soundly in the middle of the bed.  That's right, there are no sides, just his "middle" section and I get whatever is left over.  He had never wakened from his peaceful slumber the entire time.  For a brief, fleeting moment a few thoughts raced through my head: 1) if I smother him with a pillow right now, can I make it look like an accident, and 2) if I am caught, can I claim justifiable homicide.  I mean, really, did he have to look so peaceful and oblivious to the happenings of the world when I had just spent an hour of precious sleep controlling the critters of our house?  Ugh, men.

Another judging experience...

Last week I had the privilege to judge another county 4-H fair - this time it was the county I grew up in.  As a whole, I have to admit I was rather disappointed. 

There were no train wrecks, no need for exasperated sighs, no nothing. 

The children were polite, professional, amusing, articulate.... sigh.....

How am I to get material to write a blog when I'm surrounded with kids like these?!?!?!  AGH!!!!!  How frustrating!!! 

(And yes, I'm being terribly sarcastic.)